traditional london house gets eco-friendly upgrade with solar systems by forrester architects

Forrester Architects enhances energy efficiency in London house

Forrester Architects transforms Springdale, a traditional townhouse in London, UK, with a design approach that enhances the building’s thermal performance. The project, driven by the client’s desire to improve energy efficiency, eliminates reliance on a gas boiler and introduces an air-source heat pump as a sustainable alternative. The pump is discreetly positioned below street level at the front of the house, maintaining the building’s facade. Solar PV (photovoltaic) panels on the dormer roof contribute to the home’s sustainable energy strategy, reducing dependency on the electricity grid. The rear garden extension, featuring a highly insulated timber frame under a pyramidal roof, is clad in turquoise copper-colored steel with an environmental product declaration (EPD) for recycling and reuse. 

all images by Fred Howarth, courtesy of Forester Architects

Springdale adopts sustainable solutions to minimize heat loss

Inside Springdale, the lower ground floor is opened up into a spacious, double-height area centered around a Danish-made kitchen, creating a sense of openness in a terraced house. Forrester Architects adds a mezzanine to the layout, accessible via a bespoke metal staircase, which offers an additional connection to the stairwell serving the upper floors. A large glazed skylight with exposed timber rafters illuminates the space, bringing natural light in, throughout the day. Underfloor heating principles are applied to a double-height wall next to the mezzanine stair to address the challenge of heating the double-height room, ensuring even heat distribution and minimizing heat loss to upper levels. The design strategy by the London-based firm extends to the garden studio, mirroring the extension’s appearance and creating a sustainable workspace. The top floor now features an expanded dormer roof, which includes improved insulation to reduce solar gain in summer and retain warmth in winter.

Forrester Architects transforms Springdale, a traditional townhouse in London

the design approach enhances the building’s thermal performance

an air-source heat pump is introduced as a sustainable alternative to a gas boiler

turquoise copper-colored steel wraps a highly insulated timber frame under a pyramidal roof

inside Springdale, the lower ground floor is opened up into a spacious, double-height area

creating a sense of openness in a terraced house

a Danish-made kitchen centers the ground floor

subtle colors are used throughout

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a bright and airy extension has transformed the spacial quality of the mid terrace house

a large glazed skylight with exposed timber rafters illuminates the space

underfloor heating principles are applied to a double-height wall

a bespoke metal staircase leads from the mezzanine to the rear extension

a new mezzanine overlooks the kitchen and dining room

the double height space provides an enlivened interior space

a dynamic roof adds to the dining room

Forrester Architects ensures even heat distribution and minimizes heat loss to upper levels

the garden studio reflects the extension’s appearance

the pump is discreetly positioned below street level at the front of the house

the top floor now features an expanded dormer roof

improved insulation reduces solar gain in summer and retains warmth in winter

a view of the rear extension in metal cladding

at night the focal point to day to day is inviting and offers warmth

project info:

name: Springdale
architect: Forester Architects | @forresterarchitects
location: London, UK

photographer: Fred Howarth | @fh_otography

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edited by: thomai tsimpou | designboom